Students with Disabilities

Just because you have a disability, it doesn’t mean you should have any less choice about where and what you study and all universities have a policy statement which outlines the support and facilities they offer, financial or otherwise.

Get a copy of these along with the prospectuses when you’re thinking about applying. It’s a good idea to check the place out in person if you’re serious about studying there, to assess your needs and attend a ‘special needs’ interview to discuss them with the university’s disabilities officer (assuming they have one – if they haven’t, well, that tells you something).

Generally, everything Push has said elsewhere about fees, loans, blah-de-blah still applies. Eligible disabled students should be able to get the special support grant rather than the maintenance grant, which means they’ll also be able to take out the maximum student loan and any entitlement to benefits won’t be affected.

Even if your disability is severe and is likely to affect your earning potential after graduation, it doesn’t affect your right to claim the same student loan as everyone else.

The Student Loans Company will also ignore any benefits you get because of your disability, when working out when you should start repaying your loan and how quickly.

If you have a physical disability, a mental-health difficulty or a specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia, you may qualify.

There are other sources of income you may be able to tap into too.

If you have a disability or medical condition that directly affects your study (such as dyslexia or sight impairment), you might be entitled to the following:

A general Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) of up to £1,680 a year basic(£1,260 max for part-timers). The DSA can be used to pay for a care helper, Braille books, adaptations to accommodation, extra travel costs because of the disability and so on.

A specialist equipment allowance of up to £5,030 for the whole course (full-timers and part-timers get the same).

A non-medical helper’s allowance of up to £20,000 each year (£15,000 tops if you’re studying part-time).

Extra travel costs you have to pay to attend your university or college course as a result of your disability.

However, the DSA isn’t supposed to go towards costs that you’d still have if you weren’t at university. Your need for financial support is assessed on the nature of your disability and what type of course you’re studying. You’ll need to provide medical proof of your disability, such as a letter from your doctor or a dyslexia assessment from a recognised specialist.

One way or another, you’ll need to convince your LEA (or the SLC) that your disability – whether it be physical, mental-health difficulties or a learning difficulty – means you actually need the extra money to study. Ask them what they’ll want to see before you send in your application, because if you don’t make them happy in the first place, they may expect you to undergo the extra hassle and indignity of an independent assessment.

Disabled postgrads can claim a Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) of up to £10,000 a year, providing they’re not receiving bursaries or awards from the research councils, the NHS or General Social Care Council, or a university award that includes support for a disability. The cash is available to full-timers and part-timers who will complete their course in not more than double the time full-timers take.

None of the allowances for students with disabilities are means-tested and Push says a big hurrah as they don’t have to be paid back, but if you’re claiming for a particular expense most authorities will want to see a receipt or a quote before they’ll pay up.

Disabled students may also be able to claim benefits such as housing benefit and income support – check with your local Benefits Agency or Jobcentre Plus. If you’re already claiming benefits, you need to tell them that you’re going to go to university, as this counts as a change of circumstance.

Further info:Read the DfES’s booklet, ‘Bridging the Gap’, which answers commonly asked questions about DSAs, online at www.studentsupportdirect.co.uk or get a copy by calling their information line on 0800 731 9133 (textphone 0800 328 8988).

Handily, the guide is also available in Braille, large print or on audio tape.

It’s also a good idea to check out SKILL – the National Bureau for Students with Disabilities (www.skill.org.uk). They publish various information booklets (available on the website). Their free helpline number is 0800 328 5050, though they prefer you to call (020) 7657 2337 if you can afford it. Alternatively, e-mail them on info@skill.org.uk.

CHOOSING A UNIVERSITY THAT FITS WITH YOUR NEEDS

One in four people have some kind of disability, but the proportion among students is much lower. This is partly because most students are under 25, while many people only develop their disabilities as they get older — but it’s also because some universities don’t do much to encourage access. Some have quite sticky problems when it comes to, for instance, wheelchair access — ancient buildings, cobbled streets or more hills than The Sound of Music. When faced with such a situation, some universities make an extra special effort to provide for students with some other disability. Durham, for instance, has pretty good provisions for hearing-impaired students.Others have specialist accommodation too, not only for students with hearing impairments, but also for sight- or mobility-impaired students.There are certain key features to look out for if you have a disability, including for example:

For mobility impairment: ramps and access to all buildings, not just accommodation or teaching rooms; once you’re inside, lifts that actually work; lavatory facilities; fire and emergency procedures.

For dyslexia: computers for general use and use in exams; extra time for work (especially exams).

For mental or other health difficulties (such as diabetes, epilepsy or heart conditions):access to appropriate treatment including medication and/or therapy; emergency procedures.

For anyone: special arrangements as necessary for tutorials, seminars and course assessment (such as exams); personal care or assistance.

All universities should have a written policy statement on students with disabilities, that sets out what facilities they have, what their attitude is and what they are prepared to do.Only you can properly understand the challenges of any disability you have and so, before accepting a place at a university (or even while you’re considering applying, if only to raise the universities’ awareness), it’s good to talk to them and find out how much they can (and will) do for you.The problem is who to talk to. Most universities and some students’ unions have a disability advisor or officer who is supposed to know what facilities they already have and will help with further arrangements if necessary or possible. However, all too often this person is a token. Sometimes it’s just an extra responsibility given to a secretary. They don’t know what the situation is in practice and they don’t have any real authority to change anything.For any prospective student, it’s best to visit a university before applying, but it’s an especially good idea for students with disabilities or special needs to check whether the place really does come up to scratch.

USEFUL LINKS

RNIBhttp://www.rnib.org.ukA national charity that provides information, support and campaigns for blind people and their family, friends and employers.

Students with Disabilities

Just because you have a disability, it doesn’t mean you should have any less choice about where and what you study and all universities have a policy statement which outlines the support and facilities they offer, financial or otherwise.

Get a copy of these along with the prospectuses when you’re thinking about applying. It’s a good idea to check the place out in person if you’re serious about studying there, to assess your needs and attend a ‘special needs’ interview to discuss them with the university’s disabilities officer (assuming they have one – if they haven’t, well, that tells you something).

Generally, everything Push has said elsewhere about fees, loans, blah-de-blah still applies. Eligible disabled students should be able to get the special support grant rather than the maintenance grant, which means they’ll also be able to take out the maximum student loan and any entitlement to benefits won’t be affected.

Even if your disability is severe and is likely to affect your earning potential after graduation, it doesn’t affect your right to claim the same student loan as everyone else.

The Student Loans Company will also ignore any benefits you get because of your disability, when working out when you should start repaying your loan and how quickly.

If you have a physical disability, a mental-health difficulty or a specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia, you may qualify.

There are other sources of income you may be able to tap into too.

If you have a disability or medical condition that directly affects your study (such as dyslexia or sight impairment), you might be entitled to the following:

A general Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) of up to £1,680 a year basic(£1,260 max for part-timers). The DSA can be used to pay for a care helper, Braille books, adaptations to accommodation, extra travel costs because of the disability and so on.

A specialist equipment allowance of up to £5,030 for the whole course (full-timers and part-timers get the same).

A non-medical helper’s allowance of up to £20,000 each year (£15,000 tops if you’re studying part-time).

Extra travel costs you have to pay to attend your university or college course as a result of your disability.

However, the DSA isn’t supposed to go towards costs that you’d still have if you weren’t at university. Your need for financial support is assessed on the nature of your disability and what type of course you’re studying. You’ll need to provide medical proof of your disability, such as a letter from your doctor or a dyslexia assessment from a recognised specialist.

One way or another, you’ll need to convince your LEA (or the SLC) that your disability – whether it be physical, mental-health difficulties or a learning difficulty – means you actually need the extra money to study. Ask them what they’ll want to see before you send in your application, because if you don’t make them happy in the first place, they may expect you to undergo the extra hassle and indignity of an independent assessment.

Disabled postgrads can claim a Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) of up to £10,000 a year, providing they’re not receiving bursaries or awards from the research councils, the NHS or General Social Care Council, or a university award that includes support for a disability. The cash is available to full-timers and part-timers who will complete their course in not more than double the time full-timers take.

None of the allowances for students with disabilities are means-tested and Push says a big hurrah as they don’t have to be paid back, but if you’re claiming for a particular expense most authorities will want to see a receipt or a quote before they’ll pay up.

Disabled students may also be able to claim benefits such as housing benefit and income support – check with your local Benefits Agency or Jobcentre Plus. If you’re already claiming benefits, you need to tell them that you’re going to go to university, as this counts as a change of circumstance.

Further info:Read the DfES’s booklet, ‘Bridging the Gap’, which answers commonly asked questions about DSAs, online at www.studentsupportdirect.co.uk or get a copy by calling their information line on 0800 731 9133 (textphone 0800 328 8988).

Handily, the guide is also available in Braille, large print or on audio tape.

It’s also a good idea to check out SKILL – the National Bureau for Students with Disabilities (www.skill.org.uk). They publish various information booklets (available on the website). Their free helpline number is 0800 328 5050, though they prefer you to call (020) 7657 2337 if you can afford it. Alternatively, e-mail them on info@skill.org.uk.

CHOOSING A UNIVERSITY THAT FITS WITH YOUR NEEDS

One in four people have some kind of disability, but the proportion among students is much lower. This is partly because most students are under 25, while many people only develop their disabilities as they get older — but it’s also because some universities don’t do much to encourage access. Some have quite sticky problems when it comes to, for instance, wheelchair access — ancient buildings, cobbled streets or more hills than The Sound of Music. When faced with such a situation, some universities make an extra special effort to provide for students with some other disability. Durham, for instance, has pretty good provisions for hearing-impaired students.Others have specialist accommodation too, not only for students with hearing impairments, but also for sight- or mobility-impaired students.There are certain key features to look out for if you have a disability, including for example:

For mobility impairment: ramps and access to all buildings, not just accommodation or teaching rooms; once you’re inside, lifts that actually work; lavatory facilities; fire and emergency procedures.

For dyslexia: computers for general use and use in exams; extra time for work (especially exams).

For mental or other health difficulties (such as diabetes, epilepsy or heart conditions):access to appropriate treatment including medication and/or therapy; emergency procedures.

For anyone: special arrangements as necessary for tutorials, seminars and course assessment (such as exams); personal care or assistance.

All universities should have a written policy statement on students with disabilities, that sets out what facilities they have, what their attitude is and what they are prepared to do.Only you can properly understand the challenges of any disability you have and so, before accepting a place at a university (or even while you’re considering applying, if only to raise the universities’ awareness), it’s good to talk to them and find out how much they can (and will) do for you.The problem is who to talk to. Most universities and some students’ unions have a disability advisor or officer who is supposed to know what facilities they already have and will help with further arrangements if necessary or possible. However, all too often this person is a token. Sometimes it’s just an extra responsibility given to a secretary. They don’t know what the situation is in practice and they don’t have any real authority to change anything.For any prospective student, it’s best to visit a university before applying, but it’s an especially good idea for students with disabilities or special needs to check whether the place really does come up to scratch.

USEFUL LINKS

RNIBhttp://www.rnib.org.ukA national charity that provides information, support and campaigns for blind people and their family, friends and employers.